The impression you make on prospective clients during your initial meeting and through early communications will have a significant effect on their decision to do business with you.

In the early stages, clients are trying to get to know you, says Rosemary Smyth, coach and owner of Victoria-based Rosemary Smyth and Associates, which specializes in coaching financial advisors. Subtle mistake you may not be aware of can send the wrong message and spoil your chances of landing a client who might otherwise be a good fit.

Here are six first-impression destroyers to avoid:

1. Inappropriate attire
Make sure your appearance is just right when you meet with new clients.

Skip “casual Friday” and save the golf shirt for another time if you’re meeting an important prospect, Smyth says. And make sure you are tidy and well groomed.

While you may not need a three-piece suit, make sure you are dressed in clean and professional-looking business attire.

2. Bad posture
Be aware of your body language. You might be sending the wrong message to clients.

If you sit slumped over your desk, look less than confident or forget to shake the client’s hand, Smyth says, they will be unimpressed,.

Look clients in the eye, smile when you greet them and sit up straight.

3. A cluttered desk
Your desk and office space should not look like a disaster area, Smyth says.

If you are expecting prospects or clients for a meeting, get rid of any clutter or piles of paper and make sure there is space for visitors to sit comfortably.

4. Improperly greeting clients
A bad introduction to your business can leave clients looking for the door.

It’s very off-putting for visitors to find no one to greet them at reception, Smyth says, or if the lobby is over crowded.

Make sure a team member is in the lobby to welcome clients the moment they arrive and that seating is available if they’re a little early.

5. A bad joke
Watch your tone when speaking with clients.

Being constantly negative or telling off-colour jokes can leave a client with second thoughts about working with you, Smyth says.

Instead, stay positive and avoid any potentially offensive comments or humour.

6. A late response
The timing and tone of your replies to client phone calls and emails is crucial.

Taking too long to return a phone call can leave clients with the impression that you are unreliable or don’t care about them.

Long-winded voicemails and emails can leave clients thinking you are unfocused. Be succinct and direct in your communications and set a standard for returning messages.

IE